SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

National Certificate: Poultry Processing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
49579  National Certificate: Poultry Processing 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Secondary Agriculture: Processing 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
AgriSETA - Agriculture SETA  OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
National Certificate  Field 01 - Agriculture and Nature Conservation  Secondary Agriculture 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  133  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Regular-Unit Stds Based 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 9999/99  2018-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose of the qualification

The qualification provides learners with the opportunity to gain competence in poultry processing and will facilitate their securing employment in the industry. For those who are already employed in a poultry processing plant, the multi-skilling that the qualification offers will open up a career path in the industry.

The qualification will allow the learners to gain competency and to:
  • Operate and care for the major processing equipment
  • Perform preventative maintenance checks on the processing equipment
  • Meet the processing quotes for the particular products being produced
  • Inspect the poultry carcasses/portions and confirm that these conform to the required standards
  • Operate the data loggers to record the production statistics
  • Monitor the ambient and carcass temperatures to maintain the cold chain
  • Identify any abnormality on a poultry carcass and remove those carcasses
  • Conduct quality assurance checks on all products within the designated area

    The generic nature of the qualification will facilitate multiskilling, which in turn, will have a positive impact on the efficiency and productivity of the processing plants.

    At present the majority of learners at this level have little or no formal training in the industry.

    Rationale for the qualification

    The qualification addresses the urgent need for the establishment of skills and accompanying standards that the industry required, especially within the SMME sector. This will allow them to operate on a more professional basis. The observance of strict health, hygiene and bio-security principles will minimize the risks that these role players face.

    This qualification and the resultant skills that are learnt will have a positive contribution to the establishment of small processing plants in the rural areas that can serve their communities and distant markets.

    The qualification embodies the international requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP), which will ensure that producers will be able to export poultry products that will meet the stringent international requirements.

    Through the electives, learners will be able to choose a specialization that will impart specific knowledge and skills. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Learners who would like to access this qualification should have demonstrated appropriate levels of competence in Communication and Numeracy at NQF level 2.

    Recognition of prior learning
    The qualification may be achieved in part or as a whole through the Recognition of Prior Learning process for the unit standards and the exit level outcomes of the qualification. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a minimum of 133 credits, composed of:
  • Fundamental: 36 credits
  • Core: 77 credits
  • Electives: 20 credits 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Understand all the facets of the poultry processing industry.
    2. Understand the need for constant evaluation and improvement to the standards of health and safety within a poultry processing plant.
    3. Show an understanding of the general anatomy and physiology of poultry with emphasis on the digestive tract.
    4. Show an understanding of the necessity of following strict personal hygiene procedures and the diseases that are commonly transmitted by workers to poultry products.
    5. Understand the need for good standards of abattoir hygiene and the risks that microbiological contaminates can have on the quality of poultry products and the procedures to minimize them.
    6. Indicate the role of water in poultry processing and the internal drainage and effluent management in all areas within the processing chain.
    7. Understand the critical temperature ranges that have to be maintained in each stage of the process and the equipment that is used to monitor and control the cold chain.
    8. Show an understanding of the critical control points within a quality assurance system, where possible contamination or quality lapses may occur, and the operation of the product 'trace and recall' tests. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1.
  • The species of poultry that are processed in abattoirs are listed
  • The role that poultry meat plays in the provision of food security in South Africa is explained
  • The various factors that are involved in the production, processing and distribution of poultry products are described
    2.
  • The importance of creating an awareness of improving the standards of safety is explained
  • The procedures for the evaluation and reporting of safety conditions in an abattoir are described
    3.
  • The functions of the major internal components of poultry are described
  • The body systems of poultry are identified
  • The role of the various digestive regions in poultry are explained
    4.
  • The importance of the pre-employment medical examination is explained
  • The need to conduct daily monitoring of the health status of employees is explained
  • The infrastructural requirements to ensure the maintenance of good personal hygiene are detailed
    5.
  • All the possible sources for contamination of poultry are detailed
  • The seven steps of cleaning and disinfecting the equipment and facilities of an abattoir are explained
  • The procedures for monitoring the hygiene status within the processing plant are described
    6.
  • The importance of providing sufficient hot and cold water to all equipment and take-off points in the abattoir is explained
  • The main areas of water usage in the abattoir and the need for water conservation are explained
  • The role that the chlorination of washing water plays in contamination control in an abattoir is described
  • The operation and maintenance of the waste water drainage systems in an abattoir are described
    7.
  • The role of cold chain mapping and the monitoring of temperatures of each area/room is explained
  • The cold temperature terminology and the average deep muscle temperatures of poultry meat in the cold chain is explained
  • The role of data capturing of the readings from the thermographs and deep muscle tests is described
    8.
  • The composition and operation of the quality assurance programmes are described
  • The importance of the product trace and recall tests are explained
  • The areas (critical control points) that pose the highest risk to compromising quality are identified

    Intergrated assessment
  • The integrated assessment allows the Learners the opportunity to show that they are able to utilize concepts, ideas and actions across the unit standards. This will allow Learners to achieve competency that is in keeping with the purpose of the qualification.
  • An integrated assessment will indicate how theoretical learning is demonstrated in a practical environment in such a way that the application of the work learnt becomes second nature.
  • In conducting an assessment, the quality of the performance must also be evaluated i.e.: both the performance and the thinking behind the action must be qualitative.
  • The assessment should include both formative and summative options and should use various assessment tools i.e. not by observation only. It is required that a Portfolio of Assessment form part of the summative assessment, with practical outcomes being demonstrated in a simulated or real work place situation.
  • A broad range of task-orientated and theoretical tools may be used, with the distinction between practical knowledge and disciplinary knowledge being maintained.
  • It is recommended that the assessment tools give Learners the opportunity to account for their decision-making and problem solving in line with the specific outcomes and related assessment criteria.
  • Learners should be assessed in occupational contexts and activities. The assessment should ensure that the foundational skills are portable and prepare them for further learning, whatever career path they may choose. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    For levels 2 and 3, the qualifications are internationally comparable with the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, but at Level 1 no generalist qualification exists in these countries.

    Level 1 is uniquely relevant to South Africa as our workforce has a predominantly lower education entry level than the comparable countries and the introduction at this foundational level will facilitate career pathing more readily than at level 2.

    The following New Zealand poultry qualifications were benchmarked against.

    For poultry production the following qualifications were used:
  • Poultry Production Level 2: Ref. 0886. Core 12 and Elective 11 unit standards.
  • Poultry Husbandry Level 3: Ref. 0330. Core 8 and Elective 14 unit standards.

    For poultry processing, no specific qualification is used. The poultry unit standards form part of the generic meat processing qualifications. The following New Zealand unit standards were used:
  • Ref. 18829, 18843, 18851, 18852, 18853, 18854, 18855.
  • Ref. 16104, 16503, 12624, 13491, 20235, 2504.

    In general, the content is similar but the South African standards contain more detail. Their farm and business personnel structure differs to ours in that we have larger staff complements and lower entry levels in the industry.

    Some of the electives in the level 2 and 3 processing qualifications each cover specific processing areas, not machines, in the poultry abattoirs. The poultry industry specifically requested that these unit standards address the two levels, as there are two distinct occupations in each of these areas. This was borne out in the skills profile study that was conducted prior to the generation of the unit standards.

    The machine operators and carcass handlers reside at level 2. They need to gain knowledge of the function and operational duties within the specific department or processing area.

    The supervisors, who reside at level 3 are responsible for production and require a broader perspective and in-depth knowledge to monitor and manage these operations. A close examination of the unit standards will reveal this intent.

    The Poultry Processing level three qualification was compared with the following related United Kingdom certificates:
  • MTC Advanced Certificate in Meat and Poultry, Level 3: Ref. 100/2251/0.
  • MTC Advanced Certificate in Meat and Poultry Hygiene, Level 3: Ref. 100/2366/5.
  • MTC NVQ in Meat and Poultry Processing, Level 3: Ref. Q 1054081.
  • RSPH Certificate in meat inspection, Level 3: Ref. 100/1438/. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
  • The qualification is designed to provide a structured learning path for employees in the Poultry Processing industry in South Africa, be they in employ of commercial businesses or as entrepreneurs.
  • The Level 3 National Certificate in Poultry Processing is seen as a qualification to up-skill the learners who are currently employed in poultry or red meat abattoirs.
  • The qualifications, with national recognition, would not only enable employees to move within the poultry industry, between the fields of Production and Processing, but would also create the opportunity for learners to move into the red meat and abattoir industries.
  • While the Production and Processing qualifications diverge as they progress upwards, there remains sufficient common ground for holders of one qualification to be able to be employed in the other field with minimum additional training. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Anyone assessing a learner against these unit standards must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA and have the experience or in depth knowledge of the poultry processing industry.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of these unit standards or will assess these unit standards must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedure.
  • Therefore anyone wishing to be assessed against these unit standards may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution which is accredited by the relevant ETQA. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessors must:
  • Be accredited as assessors by the relevant ETQA
  • Have experience or in depth knowledge of the poultry production industry
  • Meet any other requirements that may be stipulated by the relevant ETQA 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARDS: 
      ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
    Core  119386  Demonstrate basic understanding of the poultry processing industry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  1 
    Core  119452  Show an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of poultry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Core  119399  Utilise abattoir hygiene in poultry processing  Level 2  NQF Level 02  15 
    Core  119413  Utilise cold chain management in poultry processing  Level 2  NQF Level 02  3 
    Core  14063  Apply Self Management through the Concepts of Positive Self-esteem and Resiliency  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  119419  Implement administration and record keeping in poultry processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Core  119436  Implement health and safety principles in a poultry abattoir  Level 3  NQF Level 03  10 
    Core  119393  Implement personal hygiene principles in a poultry abattoir  Level 3  NQF Level 03  15 
    Core  119407  Implement water management in poultry processing  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Core  116714  Lead a team, plan, allocate and assess their work  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Core  119380  Monitor the quality assurance in a poultry abattoir  Level 3  NQF Level 03  15 
    Fundamental  8968  Accommodate audience and context needs in oral communication  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8971  Analyse and respond to a variety of literary texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9010  Demonstrate an understanding of the use of different number bases and measurement units and an awareness of error in the context of relevant calculations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  2 
    Fundamental  9013  Describe, apply, analyse and calculate shape and motion in 2-and 3-dimensional space in different contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
    Fundamental  8969  Interpret and use information from texts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  9012  Investigate life and work related problems using data and probabilities  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  7456  Use mathematics to investigate and monitor the financial aspects of personal, business and national issues  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Fundamental  8970  Write texts for a range of communicative contexts  Level 3  NQF Level 03  5 
    Elective  119445  Defeather poultry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Elective  119432  Operate a portion cutting machine in a poultry abattoir  Level 2  NQF Level 02  12 
    Elective  119438  Operate a processing scale in a poultry abattoir  Level 2  NQF Level 02  10 
    Elective  119415  Operate a processing scanner in a poultry abattoir  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  119426  Operate an automatic tray wrapper in a poultry abattoir  Level 2  NQF Level 02  5 
    Elective  119451  Perform 1st phase evisceration in poultry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Elective  119476  Perform 2nd phase evisceration in poultry  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Elective  119453  Process poultry fresh meat products in an abattoir  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Elective  119446  Process poultry frozen meat products in an abattoir  Level 2  NQF Level 02  8 
    Elective  119401  Implement the cold storage and despatch practices in a poultry abattoir  Level 3  NQF Level 03  8 
    Elective  119390  Manage the receiving of live birds and placing on the poultry processing line  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 
    Elective  119400  Slaughter birds in a poultry abattoir  Level 3  NQF Level 03  6 


    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. 1st Utopia Disability Gladiators Pty Ltd 
    2. 42020 Vision Training and Consulting 
    3. Abvaho Phanda Group Pty Ltd 
    4. Adama Institute and Holdings 
    5. AFRICA INTERNATIONAL TRAINING FACILITIES 
    6. Ajuri Farms 
    7. Akhona Skills Fountain and Trading 
    8. Anicrop Training 
    9. Badishi Training and Consultants 
    10. Banana in Action (Pty) Ltd 
    11. BD Modikwe Holdings 
    12. Bokgoni Computer Training Centre (PTY)LTD 
    13. Bonwelong Skills Development (PTY) LTD 
    14. Bosele Thabeng 
    15. Buni Advocacy and Training Services Pty Ltd 
    16. Camblish Training Institute 
    17. CHARLES MOASA (PTY) LTD 
    18. Design Reimagined (Pty) Ltd 
    19. Eagle International Holdings 
    20. Earth Child Consulting (Pty) Ltd 
    21. Ejosbo Skills Development and Projects 
    22. Exceptional Favour Pty Ltd 
    23. FAS Agro Agricultural and Vocational College NPC 
    24. Gare Kgare Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    25. Hlaudi Assets Vanguard Consultancy 
    26. Ifa Langa Agri Training and Consulting Pty Ltd 
    27. Ikhaya Lokukhusela NPC 
    28. Impact Plus Training Consultants 
    29. Indima Agri Group NPC 
    30. Innopad Holdings (Pty) Ltd 
    31. Intando ka Tata Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    32. Jolaros Trading and Peojects 
    33. Katlo Logistix (Pty) Ltd 
    34. Khumo-Matlo Training and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    35. Kimi Makwethu Developments and Trainings Primary Cooperative Limited 
    36. Klear Living (Pty) Ltd 
    37. KNM Africa Group 
    38. La Fata Agricultural Techniques Orientation 
    39. Leruo ke Matla Training and Enterprise Development Services 
    40. Level V Skills 
    41. LFP AGRI (PTY) LTD 
    42. Limash Trading Enterprise Pty Ltd 
    43. LM Training Development (Pty) Ltd 
    44. M 163 P Pty Ltd 
    45. MABHENGU POULTRY (PTY) LTD 
    46. Maite Family Piggery and Projects (Pty ) Ltd 
    47. Masikila Training Solution (Pty) LTd 
    48. McKenna Golf 
    49. Meals on Wheels Community Services - South Africa 
    50. Metropolitan Engineering College Pty Ltd 
    51. Mile learning 
    52. Mmasengwe Cattle Farm 
    53. Mnami Services and Projects 
    54. Mogotoane Business Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    55. Mojakgomo Enterprise Primary Co-operative 
    56. Mortarboard Training Solutions 
    57. Moshia Holdings Pty Ltd 
    58. Mphekgwane Business Development 
    59. Mxonothem Construction and Trading Cc 
    60. Mzansi Agricultural College 
    61. Mzansi Farming Pty Ltd 
    62. Mzanzi Training Institute 
    63. Neo Emporium Holdings Pty Ltd 
    64. Nico Evirocare West Control (Pty) Ltd 
    65. NKHULULEKO PROJECT MANAGEMENT & CONSTRUCTION PTY LTD 
    66. Nkoanapula Trading & Projects 
    67. Number 9 and Fortfar Academy (Pty) Ltd 
    68. Orange Language Institute (Pty) Ltd 
    69. Peu Estate (Pty) Ltd 
    70. Phil Chemics Enterprise (Pty) Ltd 
    71. Potchefstroom College of Agriculture 
    72. Rifumo Skills Development and Projects 
    73. Rivoningo Consulting and Training (Pty) Ltd 
    74. Sefala Strategic Solutions (Pty) Ltd 
    75. Shiduka Projects and Supply 
    76. Sikhumbuzo Electrical Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    77. Simba Skills Consultants 
    78. Sxazululo Enterprise 
    79. Take Note Trading 205 Cc t/a Khululekani Training Centre 
    80. TCEP (Pty) Ltd 
    81. Technofield 
    82. The Dada Creations 
    83. Thembeni Skills Development Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd 
    84. Tintswee Trading and Projects Pty Ltd 
    85. Triple Desire Trading and Projects 173 CC 
    86. TSM Business School Pty Ltd 
    87. Tubatse Skills Development and Consulting 
    88. Twoline Training Skills For Africa Pty Ltd 
    89. Umthombolwazi Consultants Cc 
    90. Univen Continuing Education Pty Ltd 
    91. Urban Pulse Group (Pty) Ltd 
    92. VEB CELE AND ASSOCIATES 
    93. Vuladzindila 
    94. Wangis Security Services Pty Ltd 
    95. Xisana Engeneering and Supply Pty Ltd 
    96. YIPS Africa (Pty) Ltd 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.